O'Day ready for Monday's bullpen session

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day remains scheduled to throw his first bullpen session on Monday since going on the disabled list retroactive to June 7 with a strained right shoulder.

O'Day has been throwing on flat ground as part of his progression. It's time to increase the level of intensity.

"I feel good," he said. "I wouldn't be getting on a mound unless I felt good. It's one of the important steps, so I'm excited to do that."

O'Day said he isn't sure what's happening after the bullpen session. He's just following the schedule laid out by head athletic trainer Richie Bancells.

A short injury rehab assignment figures to play into it.

"I hope so," he said. "I want to get back."

The Orioles eagerly await the return of O'Day and closer Zach Britton, who's scheduled to pitch the first inning Monday night at short-season Single-A Aberdeen to start his rehab assignment.

"I think it will help," O'Day said. "It's always good to get guys healthy and get them back. We've got to pitch better, and Zach and I coming back, we'll help with that for sure."

Having O'Day and Britton watching a game from the dugout created an odd scene, one that the Orioles don't want to duplicate later in the season. O'Day has moved to the bullpen, where he failed to catch three home run balls yesterday.

It's usually his specialty, but he wasn't wearing a glove.

"He likes sitting in the dugout, but I've been sitting in the 'pen," O'Day said. "We actually talked about this the other day. If you sit in the 'pen toward the end of your rehab, you make sure that you get a feel for the game, kind of stay in the flow of how it goes down there. I think it's helpful.

"I think he's going to join me down there in the bullpen soon."

The Orioles are anticipating rain on Monday and have made contingency plans to pitch Britton on Tuesday in Aberdeen if the weather interferes.

For the Cardinals
Matt Carpenter 1B
Dexter Fowler CF
Tommy Pham LF
Jedd Gyorko DH
Yadier Molina C
Stephen Piscotty RF
Aledmys Díaz SS
Greg García 3B
Paul DeJong 2B

Lance Lynn RHP